Issue details

Proposed decision

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree:

a)       The Coordinated Primary Admissions Scheme 2025/26 incorporating the In Year admissions process as detailed in Appendix A

b)       The Co-ordinated Secondary Admissions Scheme 2025/26 incorporating the In Year admissions process and Kent Test process as detailed in Appendix B

c)       The oversubscription criteria relating to Community and Voluntary Controlled Infant, Junior and Primary Schools in Kent 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix C (1)

d)       The oversubscription criteria relating to Community and Voluntary Controlled Secondary Schools in Kent 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix D (1)

e)       The Published Admissions Number for Community and Voluntary Controlled Infant, Junior and Primary Schools 2025/26 as set out in Appendix C (2)

f)        The Published Admissions Number for Community and Voluntary Controlled Secondary Schools 2025/26 as set out in Appendix D (2)

g)       The relevant statutory consultation areas for Kent Infant, Junior and Primary Schools 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix A (2) and the relevant statutory consultation areas for Kent Secondary Schools 2025/26 as set out in Appendix B (2)

Reason for the decision

Admission authorities are legally required to determine admissions arrangements for their schools by 28 February each year. It is intended that admissions arrangements for schools where KCC is the admissions authority are to remain broadly unchanged. It is proposed, however, to make changes to two Secondary school sixth form admission arrangements. This includes:

Dover Grammar School for Girls proposes to alter its sixth form entry requirements.

The proposed changes are as follows:

•       The minimum requirement is three 6 grades and three others at 5 grade.

•       At least a grade 4 or above in English and Mathematics.

•       Photography will also no longer be offered as a 4th A level option

Simon Langton Grammar School for Girls proposes to alter its sixth form entry requirements.

The proposed changes are as follows:

•       The Published Admission Number (PAN) for year 12 is 200. This is the number of places which will be offered on an annual basis to eligible external applicants. If fewer than 180 of the school’s own year 11 pupils transfer into year 12, additional external pupils will be admitted until year 12 meets its capacity of 200.

•       A minimum of 8 GCSEs grades 9-5, including 6 grades 6s*

•       A minimum grade 5 in their best English and Mathematics

•       Addition of sixth form oversubcription criteria and tiebreak

•       Clarity on the process for applying to sixth form

Each consultation is due to run until 11 January 2024.

Local Authorities are also required to consult with all schools within their geographical boundaries on an Admissions Scheme, which details how the co-ordinated and in year admissions processes will operate for the forthcoming year. This consultation is due to run until 11 January 2024.

Following the completion of both consultations, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills is requested to approve the proposed admission arrangements and scheme.

Legal Implications  

Section 13A of the Education Act 1996 states every admission authority must, before the beginning of each school year determine the admission arrangements which are to apply for that year 7. Local authorities are required by Section 92 of the School Standards and Framework Act and the Education (School Information) (England) Regulations 2008 to publish admission arrangements for all maintained schools in their area. Under section 88(1A) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (as inserted by section 42 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006) it is the duty of a governing body of a community or voluntary controlled school, for which a local authority is the admissions authority, to implement any decision relating to the admission of pupils taken by the admission authority. Similarly, under section 89(3A) of the 1998 Act and regulations, the governing body of a voluntary aided or foundation school must implement a decision of the local authority, made under the relevant co-ordinated admission arrangements, whether a child should be granted or refused admission to the school.  Failure to do so would amount to a breach of the admission authority’s statutory duty.